Abstract: India-s North-Eastern part, comprising of seven states, is a lowly developed, tribal population dominated region in India. Inspite of the common Mongoloid origin and lifestyle of majority of the population residing here, sharp differences exist in the status of their socio-economic development. The present paper, through a state-wise analysis, makes an attempt to find out the extent of this disparity, especially on the socio-economic front. It illustrates the situations prevailing in health, education, economic and social cohesion sector. Discussion on the implications of such disparity on social stability finds that the causes of frequent insurgency activities, that have been penetrating the region for a long time, thereby creating communal conflicts, can be traced in the economic deprivation and disparity. In the last section, the paper makes policy prescription and suggests how by taking care of disparity and deprivation both poverty and the problem of communal conflicts can be controlled.
Abstract: Nowadays, Multimedia Communication has been developed and improved rapidly in order to enable users to communicate between each other over the Internet. In general, the multimedia communication consists of audio and video communication. However, this paper focuses on audio streams. The audio translation between protocols is a very critical issue due to solving the communication problems between any two protocols, as well as it enables people around the world to talk with each other at anywhere and anytime even they use different protocols. In this paper, a proposed method for an audio translation module between two protocols has been presented. These two protocols are InterAsterisk eXchange Protocol (IAX) and Real Time Switching Control Protocol (RSW), which they are widely used to provide two ways audio transfer feature. The result of this work is to introduce possibility of interworking together.
Abstract: This paper present an efficient and reliable technique of optimization which combined fuel cost economic optimization and emission dispatch using the Sigmoid Decreasing Inertia Weight Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (PSO) to reduce the cost of fuel and pollutants resulting from fuel combustion by keeping the output of generators, bus voltages, shunt capacitors and transformer tap settings within the security boundary. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been demonstrated on IEEE 30-bus system with six generating units. The results clearly show that the proposed algorithm gives better and faster speed convergence then linearly decreasing inertia weight.
Abstract: Missing data is a persistent problem in almost all
areas of empirical research. The missing data must be treated very
carefully, as data plays a fundamental role in every analysis.
Improper treatment can distort the analysis or generate biased results.
In this paper, we compare and contrast various imputation techniques
on missing data sets and make an empirical evaluation of these
methods so as to construct quality software models. Our empirical
study is based on NASA-s two public dataset. KC4 and KC1. The
actual data sets of 125 cases and 2107 cases respectively, without
any missing values were considered. The data set is used to create
Missing at Random (MAR) data Listwise Deletion(LD), Mean
Substitution(MS), Interpolation, Regression with an error term and
Expectation-Maximization (EM) approaches were used to compare
the effects of the various techniques.
Abstract: As computer network technology becomes
increasingly complex, it becomes necessary to place greater
requirements on the validity of developing standards and the
resulting technology. Communication networks are based on large
amounts of protocols. The validity of these protocols have to be
proved either individually or in an integral fashion. One strategy for
achieving this is to apply the growing field of formal methods.
Formal methods research defines systems in high order logic so that
automated reasoning can be applied for verification. In this research
we represent and implement a formerly announced multicast protocol
in Prolog language so that certain properties of the protocol can be
verified. It is shown that by using this approach some minor faults in
the protocol were found and repaired. Describing the protocol as
facts and rules also have other benefits i.e. leads to a process-able
knowledge. This knowledge can be transferred as ontology between
systems in KQML format. Since the Prolog language can increase its
knowledge base every time, this method can also be used to learn an
intelligent network.
Abstract: ZnO nanostructures including nanowires, nanorods,
and nanoneedles were successfully deposited on GaAs substrates,
respectively, by simple two-step chemical method for the first time. A
ZnO seed layer was firstly pre-coated on the O2-plasma treated
substrate by sol-gel process, followed by the nucleation of ZnO
nanostructures through hydrothermal synthesis. Nanostructures with
different average diameter (15-250 nm), length (0.9-1.8 μm), density
(0.9-16×109 cm-2) were obtained via adjusting the growth time and
concentration of precursors. From the reflectivity spectra, we
concluded ordered and taper nanostructures were preferential for
photovoltaic applications. ZnO nanoneedles with an average diameter
of 106 nm, a moderate length of 2.4 μm, and the density of 7.2×109
cm-2 could be synthesized in the concentration of 0.04 M for 18 h.
Integrated with the nanoneedle array, the power conversion efficiency
of single junction solar cell was increased from 7.3 to 12.2%,
corresponding to a 67% improvement.
Abstract: Nanocrystalline thin film of Na0.1V2O5.nH2O xerogel
obtained by sol gel synthesis was used as gas sensor. Gas sensing
properties of different gases such as hydrogen, petroleum and
humidity were investigated. Applying XRD and TEM the size of the
nanocrystals is found to be 7.5 nm. SEM shows a highly porous
structure with submicron meter-sized voids present throughout the
sample. FTIR measurement shows different chemical groups
identifying the obtained series of gels. The sample was n-type
semiconductor according to the thermoelectric power and electrical
conductivity. It can be seen that the sensor response curves from
130oC to 150oC show a rapid increase in sensitivity for all types of
gas injection, low response values for heating period and the rapid
high response values for cooling period. This result may suggest that
this material is able to act as gas sensor during the heating and
cooling process.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of a 16-ports optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) encoder prototype based on Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) and optical switches. It is potentially to provide a high security for data transmission due to all data will be transmitted in binary code form. The output signals from AWG are coded with a binary code that given to an optical switch before it signal modulate with the carrier and transmitted to the receiver. The 16-ports encoder used 16 double pole double throw (DPDT) toggle switches to control the polarization of voltage source from +5 V to -5 V for 16 optical switches. When +5 V is given, the optical switch will give code '1' and vice versa. The experimental results showed the insertion loss, crosstalk, uniformity, and optical signal-noise-ratio (OSNR) for the developed prototype are
Abstract: A method is presented for using thermo-mechanical fatigue analysis as a tool in the design of automotive heat exchangers. Use of infra-red thermography to measure the real thermal history in the heat exchanger reduces the time necessary for calculating design parameters and improves prediction accuracy. Thermal shocks are the primary cause of heat exchanger damage. Thermo-mechanical simulation is based on the mean behavior of the aluminum tubes used in the heat exchanger. An energetic fatigue criterion is used to detect critical zones.
Abstract: This paper presents a spectroscopic study on doping
of Vanadyl pathalocyanine (VOPc) by [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid
methyl ester (PCBM). The films are characterized by UV/Vis/NIR
spectroscopy. A drastic increase in the absorption coefficient has
been observed with increasing dopant concentration. Optical
properties of VOPc:PCBM films deposited by spin coating technique
were studied in detail. Optical band gap decreased with the PCBM
incorporation in the VOPc film. Optical band gap calculated from the
absorption spectra decreased from 3.32 eV to 3.26 eV with a
variation of 0–75 % of PCBM concentration in the VOPC films.
Abstract: In this paper, optimal generation expansion planning (GEP) is investigated considering purchase prices, profits of independent power producers (IPPs) and reliability criteria using a new method based on hybrid coded Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). In this approach, optimal purchase price of each IPP is obtained by HCGA and reliability criteria are calculated by PSO technique. It should be noted that reliability criteria and the rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission have been considered as constraints of the GEP problem. Finally, the proposed method has been tested on the case study system. The results evaluation show that the proposed method can simply obtain optimal purchase prices of IPPs and is a fast method for calculation of reliability criteria in expansion planning. Also, considering the optimal purchase prices and profits of IPPs in generation expansion planning are caused that the expansion costs are decreased and the problem is solved more exactly.
Abstract: The study on the tree growth for four species groups of commercial timber in Koh Kong province, Cambodia-s tropical rainforest is described. The simulation for these four groups had been successfully developed in the 5-year interval through year-60. Data were obtained from twenty permanent sample plots in the duration of thirteen years. The aim for this study was to develop stand table simulation system of tree growth by the species group. There were five steps involved in the development of the tree growth simulation: aggregate the tree species into meaningful groups by using cluster analysis; allocate the trees in the diameter classes by the species group; observe the diameter movement of the species group. The diameter growth rate, mortality rate and recruitment rate were calculated by using some mathematical formula. Simulation equation had been created by combining those parameters. Result showed the dissimilarity of the diameter growth among species groups.
Abstract: Present wireless communication demands compact and intelligent devices with multitasking capabilities at affordable cost. The focus in the presented paper is on a dual band antenna for wireless communication with the capability of operating at two frequency bands with same structure. Two resonance frequencies are observed with the second operation band at 4.2GHz approximately three times the first resonance frequency at 1.5GHz. Structure is simple loop of microstrip line with characteristic impedance 50 ohms. The proposed antenna is designed using defective ground structure (DGS) and shows the nearly one third reductions in size as compared to without DGS. This antenna was simulated on electromagnetic (EM) simulation software and fabricated using microwave integrated circuit technique on RT-Duroid dielectric substrate (εr= 2.22) of thickness (H=15 mils). The designed antenna was tested on automatic network analyzer and shows the good agreement with simulated results. The proposed structure is modeled into an equivalent electrical circuit and simulated on circuit simulator. Subsequently, theoretical analysis was carried out and simulated. The simulated, measured, equivalent circuit response, and theoretical results shows good resemblance. The bands of operation draw many potential applications in today’s wireless communication.
Abstract: In biological and biomedical research motif finding tools are important in locating regulatory elements in DNA sequences. There are many such motif finding tools available, which often yield position weight matrices and significance indicators. These indicators, p-values and E-values, describe the likelihood that a motif alignment is generated by the background process, and the expected number of occurrences of the motif in the data set, respectively. The various tools often estimate these indicators differently, making them not directly comparable. One approach for comparing motifs from different tools, is computing the E-value as the product of the p-value and the number of possible alignments in the data set. In this paper we explore the combinatorics of the motif alignment models OOPS, ZOOPS, and ANR, and propose a generic algorithm for computing the number of possible combinations accurately. We also show that using the wrong alignment model can give E-values that significantly diverge from their true values.
Abstract: A gene network gives the knowledge of the regulatory
relationships among the genes. Each gene has its activators and
inhibitors that regulate its expression positively and negatively
respectively. Genes themselves are believed to act as activators and
inhibitors of other genes. They can even activate one set of genes and
inhibit another set. Identifying gene networks is one of the most
crucial and challenging problems in Bioinformatics. Most work done
so far either assumes that there is no time delay in gene regulation or
there is a constant time delay. We here propose a Dynamic Time-
Lagged Correlation Based Method (DTCBM) to learn the gene
networks, which uses time-lagged correlation to find the potential
gene interactions, and then uses a post-processing stage to remove
false gene interactions to common parents, and finally uses dynamic
correlation thresholds for each gene to construct the gene network.
DTCBM finds correlation between gene expression signals shifted in
time, and therefore takes into consideration the multi time delay
relationships among the genes. The implementation of our method is
done in MATLAB and experimental results on Saccharomyces
cerevisiae gene expression data and comparison with other methods
indicate that it has a better performance.
Abstract: In this research work, poly (acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene)/
polypropylene (ABS/PP) blends were processed by melt
compounding in a twin-screw extruder. Upgrading of the thermal
characteristics of the obtained materials was attempted by the
incorporation of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT), as
well as, by the addition of two types of compatibilizers;
polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) and ABS
grafted with maleic anhydride (ABS-g-MAH). The effect of the
above treatments was investigated separately and in combination.
Increasing the PP content in ABS matrix seems to increase the
thermal stability of their blend and the glass transition temperature
(Tg) of SAN phase of ABS. From the other part, the addition of ABS
to PP promotes the formation of its β-phase, which is maximum at 30
wt% ABS concentration, and increases the crystallization temperature
(Tc) of PP. In addition, it increases the crystallization rate of PP.The
β-phase of PP in ABS/PP blends is reduced by the addition of
compatibilizers or/and organoclay reinforcement. The incorporation
of compatibilizers increases the thermal stability of PP and reduces
its melting (ΔΗm) and crystallization (ΔΗc) enthalpies. Furthermore it
decreases slightly the Tgs of PP and SAN phases of ABS/PP blends.
Regarding the storage modulus of the ABS/PP blends, it presents a
change in their behavior at about 10°C and return to their initial
behavior at ~110°C. The incorporation of OMMT to no compatibilized
and compatibilized ABS/PP blends enhances their storage modulus.
Abstract: Robustness is one of the primary performance criteria for an Intelligent Video Surveillance (IVS) system. One of the key factors in enhancing the robustness of dynamic video analysis is,providing accurate and reliable means for shadow detection. If left undetected, shadow pixels may result in incorrect object tracking and classification, as it tends to distort localization and measurement information. Most of the algorithms proposed in literature are computationally expensive; some to the extent of equalling computational requirement of motion detection. In this paper, the homogeneity property of shadows is explored in a novel way for shadow detection. An adaptive division image (which highlights homogeneity property of shadows) analysis followed by a relatively simpler projection histogram analysis for penumbra suppression is the key novelty in our approach.
Abstract: This work aims to describe the process of developing
services and applications of seamless communication within a
Telecom Italia long-term research project, which takes as central aim
the design of a wearable communication device. In particular, the
objective was to design a wrist phone integrated into everyday life of
people in full transparency. The methodology used to design the
wristwatch was developed through several subsequent steps also
involving the Personas Layering Framework. The data collected in
this phases have been very useful for designing an improved version
of the first two concepts of wrist phone going to change aspects
related to the four critical points expressed by the users.
Abstract: Texture classification is an important image processing
task with a broad application range. Many different techniques for
texture classification have been explored. Using sparse approximation
as a feature extraction method for texture classification is a relatively
new approach, and Skretting et al. recently presented the Frame
Texture Classification Method (FTCM), showing very good results on
classical texture images. As an extension of that work the FTCM is
here tested on a real world application as detection of abnormalities
in mammograms. Some extensions to the original FTCM that are
useful in some applications are implemented; two different smoothing
techniques and a vector augmentation technique. Both detection of
microcalcifications (as a primary detection technique and as a last
stage of a detection scheme), and soft tissue lesions in mammograms
are explored. All the results are interesting, and especially the results
using FTCM on regions of interest as the last stage in a detection
scheme for microcalcifications are promising.
Abstract: Inconel 718, a nickel based super-alloy is an
extensively used alloy, accounting for about 50% by weight of
materials used in an aerospace engine, mainly in the gas turbine
compartment. This is owing to their outstanding strength and
oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures in excess of 5500 C.
Machining is a requisite operation in the aircraft industries for the
manufacture of the components especially for gas turbines. This
paper is concerned with optimization of the surface roughness when
turning Inconel 718 with cermet inserts. Optimization of turning
operation is very useful to reduce cost and time for machining. The
approach is based on Response Surface Method (RSM). In this work,
second-order quadratic models are developed for surface roughness,
considering the cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut as the cutting
parameters, using central composite design. The developed models
are used to determine the optimum machining parameters. These
optimized machining parameters are validated experimentally, and it
is observed that the response values are in reasonable agreement with
the predicted values.